Insulated reflector.



W. WECKESSER.

INSULATED REFLECTOR. I APPLICATION FILED NOV-29.1916.

,@%&2%2 Patented Nov. 27, 1917.

WILLIAM WECKESSER, OF PHILADELPHIA, FENNSYLVANIA.

INSULATED REFLECTOR.

Specification of Letters'lateut. Patented Nov. 2'7, 191 "8',

' Application filed November 29', 1916. Serial No. 134,057.

ple, inexpensive and eflicient structure par-.

ticularly adapted for use in connection with the miniature incandescent electric lamps largely employed for Christmas tree ornamentation.

As will be understood, the wiring of Christmas trees is under the jurisdiction of electrical authorities, and such wiring must be passed upon by insurance underwriters. It is necessary therefore to provide a structure that will comply with the rules and at the same time acceptably perform the function for which it hasbeen designed. My invention therefore comprises a simple form of metal reflector carrying an insulating element by means of which it is secured in proper position with respect to the lamp; the insulatin plug of the limp and the socket receiving such plug and completely insulating the lamp and all of its connections from the metal reflector. This structure has been approved by the insurance underwriters.

These and other features of my invention are more fully described hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a front'elevation of a reflector made in accordance with my invention, and

Fig. 2, is a sectional view illustrating the reflector in its position with respect to a lamp and its socket.

It has long been desirable to equip the small incandescent electric lamps employed for Christmas tree ornamentation with reflectors. The natural color of the tree foliage being dark, the greater portion of the light of the lamp is absorbed. The employment of a reflector therefore materially enhances the brilliancy of the ornamentation and may, in some instances, permit the use of a fewer number of lamps.

In the drawings, 1 represents the reflector, which is preferably of metal and may be of star or other shape, as may be desired,.with

radial ribs or corrugations 2 to increase the number of reflecting surfaces. This reflecmember lying between thetor is slightly dished, as indicated, and is .provided with a central recess or socket 3 adapted to receive a disk 4, apertured at 5;

said disk being made of paper, parchmentized fiber, rubber, or any other suitable form of insulating material. This disk is held in its seat by displacing small portions of the metal constituting the wall of the socket over the edge of the same, as clearly indicated at 6 in Fig. 2.

A socket of any usual type is illustrated at 7, adapted to receive a lamp 8, having the usual plug 9, and in placing these parts together, the insulating disk 4: of the reflector will lie substantially at the junction of the glass portion of the lamp and the plug, preventing all danger of contact of the metal of the reflector with the plug or socket, and avoiding danger of short-circuiting or other trouble that might cause fire.

These small lamps, when finished, have a drop of solder 1O connecting the leading in wire with the plug adjacent the base of the lamp or where the glass portion joins the plug, and the insulating disk is provided with a small notch 11 to accommodate this 1 drop of solder.

It will be seen therefore that I have provided a simple and eflicient form of reflector for small electric lamps, and one that is absolutely safe in use; the disk 4 of insulating material completely insulating the lamp plug from the metal constituting the reflec tor. At the same time, I have provided a highly satisfactory method of materially disposed with respect to the same, and

means integral with the reflector and adjacent the aperture thereof for confining the insulating disk thereto.

2. A reflector of metal having a central aperture and an annular recess surrounding said aperture, and an apertured insulating disk centrally disposed with respect to said reflector and confined in the recess thereof by means'integral with the reflector and adj acent the recess thereof.

3. A reflector of metal having a central aperture with a recessed flange surrounding ing a centrally located depression with an aperture, of a section of insulating material -within said seat,

the same, and an insulating disk seated in saidrecess and held in place by upsetting the metal of the reflector.

4. A reflector of metal having a central aperture with a recessed flange surrounding the same, and an apertured insulating disk seated in said recess and held in place by a plurality of prongs upset from the metal of the reflector.

5. The combination with a reflector havmounted in said depression, and means integral with the reflector for securing said the passage of an electric lamp plug. 6. The combination with a reflector having a central depression centrally apertured, of an insulating disk mounted in said depression and secured in place therein, said insulating disk having a central aperture for isk in place; said section of insulating material having a central circular aperture for class described, comprising, 1n comblnatlon,

body and being operable to engage with said insulating disk to retain the latter within said seat.

8. A reflector-for electric lights compris- 2 ing a decorative fancifully shaped body serving as a reflecting; medium and having a centrally located opening, and a supporting disk having a bulb-receiving opening formed therein of lesser diameter than the diameter of the opening of said body, said disk being held in a recess surrounding the opening in the reflector y bending a portion of the body. p v

9. The combination with a socket, an electric lamp having a plug adapted to said v socket and a reflector for use with said lamp, of an insulating disk carried by the reflector and apertured for the passage of a the plug; said disk being interposed between the socket and lamp and confined in place by the latter and supporting the reflector in I proper position with respect to the lamp.

10. The combination with a socket, a lamp having a plug adapted to said socket and a reflector for use with said lamp, of an insulating disk carried by the reflector and apertured for the passage of the plug; said disk being interposed between the socket and lamp and confined in place by the latter and with the reflector separable from said socket and lamp when the latter is removed from the socket.

' WILLIAM VVECKESSER. 

